CAN Strad kick it? Yes he can!
Day 3 at Royal Ascot 2022 is all about the Ascot Gold Cup and the bid by Stradivarius to match the great stayer Yeats and land the prize for a fourth time.
Many will say Stradivarius is too old at the age of eight. But it's worth remembering Yeats was also that age when he banged in his fourth success in the mega staying prize.
And don't forget Nature Strip was eight (in Australian terms) when landing the King's Stand.
My theory is at the extreme distances – five furlongs and two and a half miles – age is not such a barrier as so few horses either have that incredible speed or mighty stamina.
Fast ground conditions mean I will give STRADIVARIUS another go to make history for Thady and John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.
The latter gave the old boy a shocking ride in this last year and Stradivarius is clearly not quite as good as he once was. But he still might be good enough.
Day 3 starts with the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs. The Antarctic will be hard to beat but I'll be putting up BAKEEL as an each-way hope for Andrew Balding and Jack Mitchell, who is retained to ride for the owner.
I was working at Ascot the day he won first time up and it's fair to say it was a nice surprise for connections as he's a big boy who can only improve. Whether he's good enough time will tell.
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In the King George V Handicap over a mile and a half I'll be with NEWFOUNDLAND each-way for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.
Not many of these have run over further than this trip but my selection did when landing a maiden at Navan last time out. He should love these conditions and you would expect there to be more to come.
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I'm not sure it's a great renewal of the Group 2 Ribblesdale over a mile and a half, and I'm hoping LIFE OF DREAMS is better than her Musidora run suggests for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
The daughter of Dubawi was reluctant to load on the Knavesmire and just plugged on behind Emily Upjohn suggesting this trip is what she needs. Only rated 100 she has plenty to do but is open to much improvement.
My main hope of the day comes in the Britannia Stakes Handicap over a mile. TRANQUIL NIGHT is improving fast and has place claims at least for Charlie Appleby and James Doyle with William Buick picking King of Time for the Godolphin handler.
Oddly they have ended up being drawn together in 30 and 29. Tranquil Night stayed on really strongly at Newmarket in a big field to defeat Outgate and the form has a very solid look.
He's up 11lb but might be a Group horse which is probably needed in this contest.
On to the Group 3 Hampton Court over a mile and a quarter. It’s hard to oppose REACH FOR THE MOON who should score for The Queen, the Gosdens and Dettori.
The one-time leading Derby hope returned with a mighty effort behind My Prospero at Sandown and will enjoy this step up in trip.
He's considered good enough for the Eclipse and if that is the case he should hack up here.
Finally the Buckingham Palace Handicap which is over seven furlongs.
CHIEFOFCHIEFS has fantastic form at Ascot off higher marks than this and is the perfect Jamie Spencer ride for the Charlie Fellowes stable.
At the age of nine it's probably hoping for a miracle for him to score, but I expect a late flourish off a mark of 96 from a good high draw.
Good luck! Yeeehaaa!
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